Chapter 384 A heart-to-heart lesson

Wu Shaoting came out of the side courtyard and went straight to the command post of the Central Hall of the Division with Deng Keng.

Wei Rucong, Li Jishen and other division ministers had read the telegram sent by Cen Chunxuan earlier, and were waiting for Wu Shaoting to arrive. Although Cen Chunxuan did not explain in the telegram that Yuan Shikai's connection with the British was definite news, the possibility of groundless rumors was not high at this critical moment. Regardless of Yuan Shikai's moral shame and loss of power in exchange for British aid, the key is how Guangdong should deal with this threat.

Wu Shaoting strode through the threshold and happened to see Wei Rucong and Li Jishen get up from the seat and greet him.

"Governor, have you read the telegram?" Wei Rucong's face was very calm, and his tone of questioning was also full of seriousness.

"Yes, I just saw it." Wu Shaoting was a little tired and nodded slowly.

"This matter cannot be underestimated. It is difficult for the old thief Yuan Shikai to figure out. It is better to trust this matter than to trust it. It seems that this peace talks may not be easy." Wei Rucong said solemnly.

"You are right. No matter how you prevent it, you must be thorough." Wu Shaoting agreed.

While speaking, everyone came to the briefing room on the side of the command post and found a chair to sit down.

"Governor, what are your plans?" Li Jishen asked with a serious face.

"To be honest, I am also very troubled now. I have the belief and awareness of decisive death, but the soldiers of the Guangdong Army are full of hope for peace talks. I am afraid they may not have the ambition of fighting before." Wu Shaoting sighed a long sigh and said helplessly. The atmosphere of speech that created peace talks not only affected the morale of the Beiyang Army, but also implicated the morale of the Guangdong Army. The Guangdong Army has been fighting for nearly eight months in a row and has been exhausted. Almost both the north and the south are looking forward to this peace talks.

"Actually, the governor doesn't have to worry too much. Although the brothers are looking forward to the ceasefire and the silence, once they let their brothers know that Yuan Shikai lost power and humiliated the country, they will definitely cause a lot of anger. What's more, it's a real defense of the country with foreigners, and the brothers will never retreat." Wei Rucong analyzed.

After hearing Wei Rucong's words, Wu Shaoting felt a little relieved, but he was still not sure. He now has a plan to deal with the British, of course this was not his original intention. If Yuan Shikai really ignored the pressure from home and abroad and insisted on straiting Guangdong, he would definitely not be able to bear it. Armistice and then rest and wait for the changes in the country, the best choice for him now.

He pondered for a moment and said, "Now our top priority is to force the *** government to agree to a ceasefire, but be vigilant and preventive, and we should not take it lightly. If the British dare to shoot black guns behind us, I will definitely make them regret it for the rest of their lives. Of course, this is also the last countermeasure to let go."

Wei Rucong immediately asked, "Governor, what is your plan?"

Wu Shaoting took a deep breath and did not directly answer Wei Rucong's words. Instead, he turned to Deng Keng and ordered: "I went to Guangzhou tonight and asked Minister Zou to draft a press release. Let's take the initiative to make this matter bigger."

Deng Keng asked with some concern: "Governor, after all, this matter is just heard about it. There is no definite news yet. Let's issue a press release now. Isn't this absurdity of the news? If you don't do it well, you will even bring slander and distort the facts. It may not be beneficial to Yun Gong's peace talks in the north."

Wu Shaoting said seriously: "Shiyuan, now is the moment when our Guangdong is facing a major crisis. It is an extraordinary time to take extraordinary measures. What's more, this matter is handed over to Minister Zou. Minister Zou will definitely use more appropriate words and will never exaggerate it too much. In fact, I have said many times that war is not just a fight in a narrow sense, but information war also constitutes a part of the war."

Deng Keng sighed and said seriously: "I understand."

Neither Wei Rucong nor Li Jishen said much. As soldiers, their principles and bottom lines in doing things are naturally not so superficial.

Wu Shaoting paused and then said: "In addition, tomorrow we will ask Guangzhou General Staff Headquarters to send someone to prepare a telephone line. I will personally talk to Bo Li'an, the British Consul General in Guangzhou."

At this time, Wei Rucong asked, "Governor, are you planning to issue a warning to the British Consul?"

Wu Shaoting nodded leisurely and said, "Yes, I must let the British know first that if they dare to attack Guangzhou behind their backs, the price they paid would definitely exceed their imagination. They thought that they could make up for the losses on the battlefield by getting some benefits from Yuan Shikai, which was simply an international joke. They should have expected that what I, Wu Shaoting, was the least afraid of, was to fight head-on. If they didn't expect, this diplomatic chess piece would definitely be on the fatal point."

Wei Rucong was about to ask what kind of warning Wu Shaoting would make, but before he could speak, Wu Shaoting suddenly changed the subject and said, "The people of the Progressive Party only dreamed during the day. They now think they have a certain status in the central government, so they all want to start prices."

Wei Rucong pressed down his throat again. Obviously, Wu Shaoting did not intend to reveal his plan. Since this is the case, there is no need to ask more questions. He pondered for a while and asked according to Wu Shaoting's question: "Governor, will it be detrimental to us if the Progressive Party members are forced into anger?"

Wu Shaoting sighed: "It's not just an unfavorable situation, it's a big disadvantage. This time, Yun Gong went north. If there was no Progressive Party as a mediator, could Yun Gong live in Xinhuamen Guesthouse? The Progressive Party looks very loose, and many members of the powerful faction are in charge of their own affairs. Only the old officials and gentry in the central government can still unite, but no matter what, if it weren't for them, the *** *** *** 's momentum was set off by Yun Gong in the *** '*'."

Wei Rucong pointed thoughtfully, Xuan'er's face became embarrassed and said, "But Governor, are we really going to hand over the Guangdong tax administration? Tax administration is the foundation of the military government, and the foundation is gone. Wouldn't our military government be destroyed by the wind? Even if you agree, the business and political factions in the military government will not agree. The boys in Huangpu will think that we are equivalent to surrender. Tenth *** will be full of blood and trouble."

Wu Shaoting smiled and said, "The foundation of the military government is not tax affairs, but resources. As for whether to agree to the conditions of the progressive party, the key is whether there is room for discussion on this matter. Yuan Shikai still has not expressed his opinion, and this is the key to the problem."

When everyone present heard Wu Shaoting's first words, they almost thought of one thing at the same time. Although they did not understand finance, they naturally still had strategic thinking as soldiers. Wu Shaoting said everything to this point, and must be planning to use means to create the illusion of tax affairs to ensure the interests of Guangdong. It has to be admitted that this method is not glorious, but fortunately it is for the sake of the overall situation.

Afterwards, Wu Shaoting explained to Wei Rucong and Li Jishen some tasks to mobilize the enthusiasm of Guangdong soldiers. It is necessary to prepare in advance and beware of the hasty situation after Yuan Shikai refused to cessation of war and peace. For him, even if there is little hope for cessation of war and peace, I believe that the Beiyang Army in Guangdong has no intention of fighting at this moment. What is the end of this battle to continue? It is still an unresolved matter.

After the meeting with Wei Rucong and Li Jishen, Wu Shaoting slowly walked along the lobby corridor to the garden near the river. Deng Keng and Wang Yun followed closely behind. When they were about to reach the garden, he turned around and said to Wang Yun: "Old Wang, you and the guards are here first. I have something to talk to Shi Yuan alone."

As the director of the Special Service Department, Wang Yun is always in charge of Wu Shaoting's security work. Now, the area of ​​the First Division headquarters is naturally easier. He nodded and agreed, but he still stared at Wu Shaoting loyally, preventing him from leaving his sight.

Wu Shaoting and Deng Keng walked to a rockery near the garden. He stopped and slowly turned around and stared at Deng Keng.

Deng Keng was a little puzzled and didn't know what Wu Shaoting was going to talk to him alone. He asked, "Governor, do you have any instructions?"

Wu Shaoting changed into a serious face and asked in a deep voice: "Shi Yuan, you have been with me for a long time. I might as well tell you something directly. I am very suspicious now whether you are worthy of my trust. In recent years, I have been determined to cultivate you, hoping to have a handy deputy, but your performance..."

At the end, he sighed without comment, not saying it too clearly.

Deng Keng couldn't help but feel embarrassed, his heart was shocked, and he looked puzzled, and asked quickly: "Governor, where does this start? I, Deng Keng, have been following the Governor since the revolution, and have never done a task to betray the Governor. This..."

Wu Shaoting shook his head slowly and said, "This is not a question of loyalty or unfaithfulness. Let me tell you that the questions you raised in the briefing room just now made me feel very bad. You have too many pedantic concepts in your heart, and you don't look like a person who can do big things at all."
Chapter completed!